29. Oakland Raiders

Jason O. Watson/Getty Images

Record: 3-10

Last week: 30th

Week 14 result: Beat the Steelers, 24-21

Week 15 opponent: at Cincinnati Bengals

One thing to know: After firing general manager Reggie McKenzie, it appears as though Jon Gruden has now fully grasped the reins to the Raiders future. He'll have plenty of picks with which to shape the team's next chapter.

28. Buffalo Bills

Adrian Kraus/AP

Record: 4-9

Last week: 28th

Week 14 result: Lost to the Jets, 27-23

Week 15 opponent: vs. Detroit Lions

One thing to know: Josh Allen hasn't been the most impressive thrower in the league, but over his last three games, he has over 300 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He now leads the Bills in rushing yards.

27. New York Jets

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Record: 4-9

Last week: 32nd

Week 14 result: Beat the Bills, 27-23

Week 15 opponent: vs. Houston Texans

One thing to know: Sam Darnold led the Jets to a comeback win over the Bills on Sunday, throwing a fourth-quarter touchdown and pulling off a 61-yard drive in the final two minutes to set up Elijah McGuire for the game-winning score.

26. Cincinnati Bengals

Mark J. Terrill/AP

Record: 5-8

Last week: 24th

Week 14 result: Lost to the Chargers, 26-21

Week 15 opponent: vs. Oakland Raiders

One thing to know: Second-year wide receiver John Ross, who has 11 catches and 4 touchdowns in the last five games, had a thoughtful response on how things are looking up, even in a down season for the Bengals: "I had one catch last year. So when I got my first catch this year, I was already happier than I was last year."

25. Atlanta Falcons

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Record: 4-9

Last week: 26th

Week 14 result: Lost to the Packers, 34-20

Week 15 opponent: vs. Arizona Cardinals

One thing to know: The Falcons have lost five straight, failing to score more than 20 points at any point during their tailspin. Lucky for them, they play the lowest-scoring team in the NFL next week with the Cardinals coming to town.

24. Detroit Lions

Jennifer Stewart/Getty

Record: 5-8

Last week: 25th

Week 14 result: Beat the Cardinals, 17-3

Week 15 opponent: at Buffalo Bills

One thing to know: It's been a rough season for Matthew Stafford. Over the last six games, Stafford has a sub-90 passer rating and has thrown just 4 touchdowns to 5 interceptions while averaging 5.9 yards per pass attempt.

22. Washington Redskins

AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Record: 6-7

Last week: 18th

Week 14 result: Lost to the Giants, 40-16

Week 15 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars

One thing to know: The Redskins said they didn't sign Colin Kaepernick because he couldn't learn their system quickly enough. Instead, they signed Josh Johnson, who was playing in a charity basketball game a week ago and used "Madden" to learn his new teammates.

20. New York Giants

Mark Tenally/AP

Record: 5-8

Last week: 22nd

Week 14 result: Beat the Redskins, 40-16

Week 15 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans

One thing to know: The Giants' recent solid play has been too little, too late. A blown 19-3 lead over the Eagles two weeks ago is now haunting them, as they could have been in the playoff race if they had won that game.

19. Carolina Panthers

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Record: 6-7

Last week: 17th

Week 14 result: Lost to the Browns, 26-20

Week 15 opponent: vs. New Orleans Saints

One thing to know: Despite losing five straight games, Carolina is still in the thick of the NFC playoff race, just a half-game behind the Vikings for the final Wild Card spot. Two of their three final games come against the Saints, who would be pleased to play spoiler to their divisional foe.

18. Green Bay Packers

Matt Ludtke/AP

Record: 5-7-1

Last week: 20th

Week 14 result: Beat the Falcons, 34-20

Week 15 opponent: at Chicago Bears

One thing to know: Don't look now, but the Packers may not be dead yet. A huge division game against the Bears could catapult them back into the playoff race if everything else around them breaks right.

17. Denver Broncos

Robert Reiners/Getty Images

Record: 6-7

Last week: 12th

Week 14 result: Lost to the 49ers, 20-14

Week 15 opponent: vs. Cleveland Browns

One thing to know: Denver's baffling loss to the 49ers on Sunday was a huge blow to their playoff chances — they're now looking up at four 7-6 teams competing for the final spot in the AFC with just three weeks left to play.

16. Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Ainsworth/AP

Record: 6-7

Last week: 15th

Week 14 result: Lost to the Cowboys, 29-23

Week 15 opponent: at Los Angeles Rams

One thing to know: It was Week 14 in Los Angeles last year that Carson Wentz tore his ACL, ending a possible MVP season. Now Wentz returns to Los Angeles in much different shape, as the Eagles' playoff hopes are fading fast while the third-year QB doesn't look right.

15. Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/Mark Zaleski

Record: 7-6

Last week: 16th

Week 14 result: Beat the Jaguars, 30-9

Week 15 opponent: at New York Giants

One thing to know: Derrick Henry's 200-yard, 4-touchdown performance on Thursday was the biggest day of the fantasy football season so far. Unfortunately, most players who had him on their roster left him on their bench, leading to plenty of frustrated players in the playoffs.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Ben Margot

Record: 7-5-1

Last week: 10th

Week 14 result: Lost to the Raiders, 24-21

Week 15 opponent: vs. New England Patriots

One thing to know: The Steelers have suddenly tossed their playoff hopes into jeopardy after losing their third straight game on Sunday, and now hold just a half-game lead over the Ravens in the AFC North. Pittsburgh has New England and New Orleans left on the schedule. Those games look more daunting now that they'll likely need to win one of them.

11. Baltimore Ravens

Reed Hoffmann/AP

Record: 7-6

Last week: 11th

Week 14 result: Lost to the Chiefs, 27-24

Week 15 opponent: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One thing to know: Ravens coach John Harbaugh said when Joe Flacco is healthy, he will be involved in the game plan. That raises questions about Lamar Jackson's role going forward, as the rookie quarterback has been solid, but raw and inconsistent as a starter.

10. Indianapolis Colts

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Record: 7-6

Last week: 14th

Week 14 result: Beat the Texans, 24-21

Week 15 opponent: vs. Dallas Cowboys

One thing to know: Andrew Luck continued his impressive comeback season on Sunday with a 399-yard performance to lead the Colts to a crucial win over the streaking Texans in Houston. Indianapolis still has work to do to make the playoffs, but as winners of six of their past seven games, they could be a force should they get there.

8. Houston Texans

Eric Christian Smith/AP

Record: 9-4

Last week: 5th

Week 14 result: Lost to the Colts, 24-21

Week 15 opponent: at New York Jets

One thing to know: After a loss to a surging Colts team, it's worth asking if the Texans are truly as good as their nine-game win streak suggested. After all, in winning nine straight, the Texans didn't face many great teams, racking up wins against the likes of the Jaguars, Bills, Titans, Dolphins, Broncos, Browns, and Redskins.

6. Chicago Bears

Joe Robbins/Getty

Record: 9-4

Last week: 7th

Week 14 result: Beat the Rams, 15-6

Week 15 opponent: vs. Green Bay Packers

One thing to know: Questions remain about Mitch Trubisky, but the Bears' Week 14 win over the Rams proved their defense is enough to get them over the finish line, even against the best offenses in the NFL.

5. New England Patriots

Mark Brown/Getty Images

Record: 9-4

Last week: 4th

Week 14 result: Lost to the Dolphins, 34-33

Week 15 opponent: at Pittsburgh Steelers

One thing to know: The Patriots lost in astonishing fashion on Sunday, giving up a hook-and-ladder miracle touchdown to the Dolphins on the final play of regulation. The play left many wondering why Rob Gronkowski was on the field for the Patriots on the biggest defensive play of the game?

4. Los Angeles Chargers

Jae C. Hong/AP

Record: 10-3

Last week: 6th

Week 14 result: Beat the Bengals, 26-21

Week 15 opponent: at Kansas City Chiefs

One thing to know: Week 15 between the Chargers and Chiefs could help decide the AFC West, but regardless of the outcome, the Chargers might be able to rest some starters afterward, as they have a big enough lead in the AFC playoff race.

2. New Orleans Saints

Michael Ainsworth/AP

Record: 11-2

Last week: 3rd

Week 14 result: Beat the Buccaneers, 28-14

Week 15 opponent: at Carolina Panthers

One thing to know: The Saints offense has slowed down in recent weeks (despite some high point totals). For the Saints to be their most dangerous, they'll need Alvin Kamara to pick up the pace, as he hasn't had 100 yards from scrimmage or a touchdown in their last three games.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

Record: 11-2

Last week: 2nd

Week 14 result: Beat the Ravens, 27-24

Week 15 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

One thing to know: With a win over the Chargers on Thursday, the Chiefs can almost ensure that the road to the Super Bowl will go through Kansas City on the AFC side of the postseason. That said, a loss could mean the Chiefs are heading for the Wild Card round.

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